K.J. Noons Willing to Work His Way Up, But Eventually Wants to Fight Diaz Brothers

By: Sherdog.com StaffJan 23, 2013

K.J.
Noons’ move to the UFC could eventually renew old hostilities
with the Diaz family.

The lightweight is officially on his way over from Strikeforce,
where he lost a unanimous decision to Nick Diaz in
October 2010. That bout was a rematch following Noons’ stoppage win
over Diaz in EliteXC in November 2007.

If he wants to stay at 155 pounds, though, he could always meet up
with Nick’s brother, Nate Diaz.

“I think that’s a great fight for me,” Noons told the Sherdog Radio
Network’s “Beatdown” show. “I think that’s a great fight for
him. We all have history. … Good style matchup. Also, I think
[Nick
Diaz] would be a good rubber match, but I’m not looking to cut
corners or talk a bunch of s--t and just get in there just yet. I
know I’ve got to work my way up. [Nate] is the No. 1 contender in
the UFC, or he just fought for the title, so we’ll see how that
goes. And Nick’s fighting for the title, so as much as I would like
to talk s--t and stir the pot, I’m sure my opportunity’s going to
come and I can my work my way up. If not, it seems like controversy
follows me, so some way or another it will happen.”

Noons dropped his Jan. 12 bout against Ryan
Couture at Strikeforce’s final event, but the split decision
has received plenty of criticism.

“At this point, you almost have to just move on and forget it,”
Noons said. “It took a big chunk of my change. … What can I do? I
can be on this radio show crying and bitching -- ‘Oh, feel sorry
for me’ -- but nothing’s going to change. I’ve just got to dust
myself off, have that mentality and heal up, get back in the gym,
get better.”

The controversial decision could have cost Noons more than his win
purse. It marked his fourth loss in five fights and might have kept
him out of the UFC, but UFC President Dana White is bringing him
over anyway.

“Dana White, thanks a lot, man,” Noons said. “I really appreciate
it. He saw the fight. He even said I got robbed, and I get to keep
fighting, which is awesome.”

Noons expects to be much more active in the UFC, and he’ll also
have a lot more eyeballs watching him compete.

“I’m just really excited for people to see my style of fighting and
the type of fighter I am,” he said. “I think you guys have known
and the more serious fans have seen my fights in the past, but the
general public, I don’t think, knows what type of fighter I am.
That’s a big stage for you to showcase your skills.”